Designed and led by Jane MacDonald, this bespoke craft tour of Japan is focusing on a range of traditional crafts with the opportunity for hands on learning experiences with the masters of sashiko, temari, indigo and stencil dyeing, washi paper, and Kurume kasuri. The tour visits famous sites, cities, towns, villages and textile establishments on the main island of Honshu and the southwestern island of Kyushu.

• Craft a temari
• Visit Akie Ginza’s Sashiko Museum
• View the Kubota Kimono Collection at Itchiku Kubota Museum
• Learn traditional sashiko techniques from a talented teacher
• Visit Matsumoto Castle and a local Sashiko shop in Takayama
• Explore UNESCO Village and take a Washi paper-making workshop
• Visit the spectacular Kinkakuji and Ryoanji Temples in Kyoto
• Learn how to paint fabric for Yuzen dyeing
• See the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Visit the Higashi Chayamachi District with its traditional tea houses
• Participate in a roketsu (indigo) dyeing workshop
• Visit specialist stores in Kyoto such as the hard-to-find needle shop
• Enjoy an all-day aizome workshop and learn about Kurume kasuri
• Watch traditional weaving and dyeing techniques

Jane MacDonald, owner of BeBe Bold, a shop devoted to Japanese textiles and related crafts, is an internationally respected teacher of sashiko stitching and design. Drawn to the quality and detail in the workmanship of Japanese textiles, Jane began to explore her interest over 20 years ago. Keen to share her passion and knowledge, Jane leads activity-rich bespoke tours of Japan for like-minded textile enthusiasts.

Tour Inclusions: 

• Twin share accommodation for 13 nights at well-appointed hotels
• Train from Kanazawa to Kyoto and Kyoto to Fukuoka
• Private chartered coach during tour for travel detailed in the itinerary
• Workshops and entrance fees for activities included in the itinerary
• An English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour
• Meals as stated in the itinerary

Not Included: 

• International flights to Japan
• Arrival and departure airport/hotel transfers
• Gratuities to guide &/or driver
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned above

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:

In order to get the most from your travels and keep up with the group, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

• You will need to be able to walk for a few hours at a gentle pace
• Use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
• Undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
• Stand for long periods in museums and other sites
• Embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
• Handle your own luggage